diff --git a/pkgs/tools/text/highlight/default.nix b/pkgs/tools/text/highlight/default.nix
index c2fe3fcd5761..26e09dd7efa3 100644
--- a/pkgs/tools/text/highlight/default.nix
+++ b/pkgs/tools/text/highlight/default.nix
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ stdenv.mkDerivation rec {
   '';
 
   preConfigure = ''
-    makeFlags="PREFIX=$out conf_dir=$out/etc/highlight/"
+    makeFlags="PREFIX=$out conf_dir=$out/etc/highlight/ CXX=$CXX AR=$AR"
   '';
 
   meta = with stdenv.lib; {